Popular island destinations will charge up to €20 per visitor during busy summer months
Greece has rolled out a new tax system targeting cruise ship passengers, with the highest fees hitting visitors to the country’s most popular islands during peak tourist season.
Starting this year, anyone stepping off a cruise ship in Greece will need to pay a mandatory fee that varies dramatically depending on where they visit and when they travel.
Summer Visits Cost More
The steepest charges apply during the busiest summer period from June through September. Passengers visiting the famous party island of Mykonos or the stunning volcanic island of Santorini will pay €20 each time they disembark.
Other Greek destinations, including the larger islands of Crete, Corfu, and Rhodes, will charge a more modest €5 per person during these peak months.
Seasonal Price Differences
The tax drops significantly outside the main summer season. During spring and fall shoulder months, Santorini and Mykonos visitors pay €12, while other ports charge €3.
Winter travelers get the best deal, with only €4 required for the premium islands and just €1 for other Greek ports.
Who Pays and How
Every cruise passenger must pay the fee, regardless of age. This includes people both getting on and off ships at Greek ports. The tax applies whether Greece is your starting point, final destination, or just a stop along the way.
Most cruise lines are expected to build this cost into their ticket prices rather than charging passengers separately at the dock, making the process smoother for travelers.
Why the New Tax?
Greek officials say the fee addresses over tourism problems that have overwhelmed popular destinations. Islands like Santorini and Mykonos struggle with massive crowds during summer months, straining local infrastructure and harming the environment.
The tiered pricing system encourages visitors to travel during quieter periods while generating revenue to help manage tourism impacts.
For cruise passengers planning Greek island hopping, the new fees add another cost to consider when booking trips, especially during the popular summer sailing season.
Source: euronews.com
